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How to Clean a Refrigerator: 5 Tips for Refrigerator Cleaning

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Cleaning your refrigerator can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 5 useful tips for refrigerator cleaning.

  1. Wait until the day before grocery day as this is when there is the least amount of items that need to be moved around. This is a great time to check your inventory before making the shopping trip to see if you really need what is on your list. Also, be sure to shut off your refrigerator before starting the cleanup process.
  2. Place removable parts in the sink such as racks, shelves and drawers and submerge in warm water and baking soda. While these pieces soak, take a cleaning rag (or toothbrush) with cleansing powder to brackets, gaskets and other hard-to-reach areas. Thoroughly dry all pieces to discourage unwelcome microbial guests.
  3. Check your refrigerator filters during the cleanup process to see if it is time for them to be replaced. Both your refrigerator water filter and refrigerator air filter should generally be replaced every six months. Check your refrigerator model to see which refrigerator filters are compatible for your brand and browse through our assortment of refrigerator water filters and refrigerator air filters to make your purchase.
  4. Organize the contents of your refrigerator to make them more accessible and visible. Food that is easily seen and reached is less likely to be overlooked and turn into a future source of odors. Speaking of odors…
  5. Think ahead and take preventative action against future odors. One easy way to do this is to properly store your food to help reduce the risk of odors. For example, store all leftovers in airtight, leak-proof containers or wraps. This will not only help preserve the food for longer, but will also minimize the unwanted odors from spreading throughout the fridge.

Clean the exterior of your refrigerator with whatever is appropriate for your refrigerators surface, which will vary depending on the color and finish you have.

Refrigerators Add New Features to Keep Food Fresh Longer

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produce crisper drawerConsumer Reports recently stated that refrigerator manufacturers, including GE, LG and Whirlpool, are adding new technological features that will help keep your food fresh longer. If you’re in the market for a new refrigerator, this may be something worth considering before you buy. Here are some highlights of the new features being added:

Whirlpool’s Freshflow Produce Preserver

This technology will be in select models, starting this year, and consists of ethylene absorption packets located in crisper drawers. These packets contain potassium permanganate, which neutralizes ethylene – a naturally occurring, odorless, harmless, tasteless gas, given off by fruits and veggies, causing them to ripen more quickly. Whirlpool claims that FreshFlow will make your produce last 25 percent longer, but the packets must be changed every six months.

GE ClimateKeeper Dual Evaporator System

As the old saying goes, “two heads are better than one.” The same goes for evaporators in your refrigerator. Older fridge models have one evaporator in the freezer, so that all of the cold air for the fresh food section in the refrigerator comes from the freezer. This causes the airflow from the fresh food section to mix with the air in the freezer. If you notice that your ice cubes taste like onion or broccoli, this may very well be why. (That, or you need to change your fridge filter.) With a dual evaporator system like GE’s ClimateKeeper, there are two evaporators, rather than one, so that the fresh food section and the freezer cool independently from one another. The humidity inside your fresh food drawers is also significantly higher, allowing fresh produce and unsealed foods to retain moisture and stay fresh longer.

Bosch VitaFresh Technology

With Bosch’s VitaFresh system, a high-tech lining inside your fresh food drawers works with climate sensors to maintain ideal temperature, humidity and air circulation, so that your food stays fresher longer. Bosch also claims that this technology also preserves vitamins and nutrients.

Viking’s Plasmacluster Ion Air Purifier

Similar to room air purifiers for the home, a Plasmacluster Ion air purifier inside your refrigerator helps eliminate odors associated with airborne pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi, helping your food to stay fresher, longer.

LG Push ‘N Seal Crisper Drawer

This drawer uses a vacuum to seal your produce inside, apparently keeping it crisp and fresh for longer.

Despite freshness claims from various refrigerator manufacturers, Consumer Reports recommends that you first look for a fridge that has excellent temperature performance. You can keep your produce fresh through proper food storage, eliminating the need for advanced refrigeration technology. And, of course, remember to replace your refrigerator water filter every six months.

 

Charlotte Receives Award for Safe Drinking Water

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We just wanted to share this news: the Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities Department was recently awarded the 2009 EPA Region IV Safe Drinking Water Act Excellence Award. This announcement is significant for us, because our offices are located in Monroe, North Carolina, just minutes outside the Mecklenburg County line. It’s great to know that our very own city is being recognized for its consistency in providing excellent drinking water treatment and safe delivery to local residents.  But if you think this gets you out of needing to buy a water filter, think again…

Most municipal water treatment plants use chlorine to disinfect water, and this often produces toxic byproducts that can be harmful to the body in large quantities while negatively affecting the taste and odor of your tap water.  We’re sure that Charlotte is no exception to this widely-accepted policy. A water filter can help reduce or eliminate these toxins, leaving you with fresh, great-tasting, odorless water. Faucet water filters, pitcher filters, and refrigerator water filters are great for this purpose. Since showering with chlorinated water can dry out your skin and lead to upper respiratory problems, it’s a good idea to invest in a shower water filter as well.

Please visit our forum to ask any questions you may have about ways to improve the water quality in your home..